Cut-off machine



Dec 6, 1955 E. F. NATION 2,725,688

CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1954 6 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 21 Efianjyn/Yali'om E. F. NATION CUT-OFF MACHINE Dec. 6, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed. D96. 8, 1954 IN VEN TOR.

E. F. NATION CUT-OFF MACHINE Dec. 6, 1955 6 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed Dec. 8, 1954 IN V EN TOR. ljfranm/flzfzbw BY p 11 MM M Dec. 6, 1955 oN 2,725,688

CUT-OFF MACHINE Filed Dec. 8, 1954 s Sheets-Sheet 4 IN VEN TOR. Efhznlgnflafiom 19M, $6M, MW 2 Dec. 6, 1955 E. F. NATION 2,725,688

CUT-OFF MACHINE I N V EN TOR. Efiann/Yalibn,

Dec. 6, 195 E. F. NATION 2,725,688

CUT-OFF MACHINE 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed Dec. 8, 1954 United States Patent CUT-OFF MACHKNE Enoch Franklyn Nation, New Lisbon, Ind, assignor to Perfect Circle Corporation, Hagerstown, Ind, a corpnration of Indiana Application December 8, 1954, Sierial No. 473,956

17 Claims. (Cl. 51--9$) The invention relates generally to machines for cutting strip material and more particularly to a machine for cutting helical coils of relatively flexible material into rings.

One construction of piston ring assembly now in use in certain internal combustion engines comprises a pair of thin steel rails adapted to engage the cylinder wall, and a combined spacer-expander member interposed between the rails to hold them in axially spaced relation to each other. The spacer-expander member is U shape in cross section and has flanges formed on the inner ends of the arms of the U, which bear outwardly on the rails to hold them against the cylinder wall with the desired pressure. This member is circumferentially expansible and for this purpose it is formed from a strip of sheet metal which is first punched with slots extending alternately inwardly from the opposite edges of the strip. The strip is then folded along longitudinal lines into the U shape with the edge portions bent to provide the abovementioned flanges. The strip is then given a circular form with the edge portions at the inner periphery.

Piston ring assemblies of this construction are shown in the Shirk Patent No. 2,635,022, issued April 14, 1953, and the Estey Patent No. 2,695,825, issued November 30, 1954. The same general type of construction as the above-described spacer-expander member may be used as a piston ring except that in a piston ring the arms of the U extend outwardly. Circular springs of similar construction may be used for other purposes.

In making members of this character, an elongated strip of sheet metal, sufficient for a large number of members or rings, is fed to a punching machine which punches the slots and gives the material its U shape with the flanges. The strip thus formed is preferably wound on a reel from which it is fed to a heat treating machine where proper treatment is provided to give the material the desired resiliency. The material during such heating may also be adjusted as to length, that is, compressed or stretched, so that the pitch length between similar adjacent slots therein is fixed, in order that the member will exert a predetermined force on the railsin a cylinder of a given diameter. Also, while the strip is heated, it may be given a circular shape and formed in helical coils of any desired length convenient for handling. Because of brittleness, the helical coils may then be subjected to a further heating operation to draw the material.

The helical coils are then ready to be cut into individual members. In so doing, each member must have a predetermined number of pitch lengths suitable for the cylinder in which it operates. A member of this character, when in operation, has its ends in abutment with each other in order that it may exert an expansive force on the rails. It is therefore also important that the end surfaces be such that good abutment be obtained and this requires cutting at a certain point within a pitch length to obtain the desired end surfaces.

The general object of the invention therefore is to 2 provide a novel machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into individual rings.

Another object is to provide a novel machine of the foregoing character, which is automatic in operation, and in which the material is placed, in the form of helical coils, and from which the individual rings are discharged.

A further object is to provide a novel machine of the foregoing character, which cuts the material at a predetermined point in a pitch length, leaving end surfaces suitable for abutment when the ring is in operative position on a piston.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of a ring made of the material for which the present machine is adapted;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a machine embodying the features of the invention;

- Fig. 3 is a plan view of the machine shown in Fig. 2;

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view taken substantially on the line 4-4 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 5 is a vertical sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 3;

Fig. 6 is a horizontal sectional view taken on the'line 6-6 of Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the machine as viewed from the right of Fig. 3;

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 88 of Fig. 3; and 1 Fig. 9 is a wiring diagram showing the control circuits for the machine.

As heretofore mentioned, the machine disclosed herein is adapted for cutting strip material into individual members or rings, the material being of the transversely slotted type utilized in certain piston ring assemblies or for piston rings themselves or for other purposes. To illustrate this type of material, I have shown in Fig. l, by way of example, a fragmentary portion of a combined spacer-expander member constituting a part of a piston ring assembly of the character referred to. As is apparent in that figure, the member is formed from an elongated strip of sheet metal, which is transversely slotted alternat-- ing from opposite edges of the strip. This slotting results in providing two rows of segments 10 along the respective edges of the strip, and the segments are connected by web members 11 which are spaced from each other and extend transversely of the strip. After the slotting, the strip is bent along longitudinally extending lines into the shape of a U in cross section with outwardly bent flanges 12 on the ends of the arms of the U.

In making spacer-expander members of this type, the strip of sheetmetal of alength sutficient for a large number of rings is completely formed as to its cross sectional shape and is thereafter heat-treated. During such heat treatment, the material is adjustable as to length that is, compressed or stretched, so that the pitch length between similar adjacent slots therein is fixed, in order that the member will exert a predetermined force on the rails in a cylinder of a given diameter. During such heat treating, the material may also be given a circular shape and may therefore be formed into helical coils of any desired length convenient for handling.

After completion of the heat treatment of such coils, they are then ready to be cut into individual rings of a predetermined number of pitch lengths suitable for the cylinders in which they operate. In such cutting operation, the ends of the ring must be left so as to provide good abutment between the ends since the expansive force exerted on the rails depends upon such abutment. The

cutting therefore must be performed not only to provide a predetermined number of pitch lengths but also at a certain point within a pitch length to obtain the desired abutting surfaces. in Fig. l, i have shown the end surfaces at 13, and it will be noted that such end surfaces are formed by cutting through not only the Segments It) and flanges 12 but also through web members 11, thus providing a maximum cross sectional area fora ring of this formation. In the cutting operation, the cut is of suificient width to remove the edge portions of two adjacent web members 11 so that both cut ends of the material are of proper form to give the maximum abutting area as indicated at 13.

The preferred embodiment of the machine shown in the drawings comprises generally a base 29 of boxlike form adapted to be mounted on a table 21. The base has a portion 22 of reduced dimension on its upper face. Rotatably mounted on the upper face of the portion 22 is a feed sprocket 23 adapted to measure all a predetermined length of the material from a helical coil 24 of such material carried on a supporting roller 25 mounted for rotation on an axis parallel to the axis of the feed sprocket 23. The feed sprocket 23 is adapted to be rotatably driven to a predetermined extenhso as to measure oil a predetermined length of the material, and when the sprocket is stopped, a cutting means in the form of a grinding disc 26 is moved radially toward the feed sprocket to cut the material carried on the periphery thereof. Since the material has a circular form, the pieces thereof which are cut off form rings. To remove such rings from the feed sprocket 23, a camming device, indicated generally at Z7, is mounted adjacent the feed sprocket 23 beyond the point of cutting to remove the rings during rotation of the feed sprocket and to drop the rings over a supporting bar 3% where the rings accumulate in a stack 31 as illustrated in Fig. 2.

The machine is so controlled automatically that the feed sprocket 23 rotates to a predetermined extent to measure off a predetermined length of the material and then is automatically stopped. When the feed sprocket stops and is locked in a fixed position, the grinding wheel or disc 26 moves radially inward toward the feed sprocket to cut the material on the feed sprocket at a predetermined point on the periphery thereof. After the grinding disc has cut the material and moved to an out of the way position, the feed sprocket is again rotated to measure off another length of the material. At a point beyond the fixed point where the cutting, takes place, the cam means 27 engages the material on the sprocket to force it oil the sprocket, and when the cut end of the material passes the cam means, the resulting ring is turned by the cam means and falls onto the supporting bar 3b.

As mentioned above, a helical coil 24 of material is placed on the supporting roll 25 which is hollow in form and is carried by bearings at its opposite ends, one of which is shown at 32 in Fig. 4. The bearings 32 are mounted on a shaft 33 extending upwardly from and secured in the upper portion 22 of the base 24}. The lower end of the coil 24 rests on a plate 34 which underlies the supporting roll 25 and overlaps a portion of the feed sprocket 23 at one side of the supporting roll 25 as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. At the opposite side of the supporting roll there is mounted an idler roll 35 rotatably supported by a shaft as mounted in the portion 22 of the base. The idler roll 35 is provided with a peripheral flange 37 at its upper face adapted to fit within the U of the material as the material is carried around it. To guide the material from the supporting roll 25 to the idler roll 35, the plate 34 is provided with upper and lower overlapping guide fingers ill to guide the material from the lower ergd of the coil 24 onto the flange 37 of the idler roll 3 As discussed above, ring members made of this material must be of a predetermined number of pitch lengths in order to exert the desired expansive force on the rails of a piston ring assembly when the ring is used as a combined spacer and expander. This necessitates providing the feed sprocket 23 with a predetermined number of teeth so that a predetermined number of pitch lengths of the material will be removed from the coil 24 for each revolution of the feed sprocket. Then by cutting the material at a fixed point relative to the periphery of the feed sprocket after rotating the feed sprocket to a predetermined extent, a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths will be cut off. The feed sprocket, by its rotation, draws the material from the idler roll and causes the rotation of the latter which etfects withdrawal of material from the coil 24-.

While the feed sprocket 23 may have any desired num ber of teeth and may be rotated to a sufiicient extent to measure off a predetermined number of pitch lengths of the material, in the preferred form the feed sprocket is of such diameter as to provide enough teeth to withdraw a length of material sufficient for one ring or spacerexpander member, and the feed sprocket is rotated through one revolution and then is stopped to permit operation of the cutting means. Thus each ring will have the required number of pitch lengths.

In the preferred embodiment, the feed sprocket 2.3 is provided With a peripheral flange 41 (see Figs. 3, 4, 5 and 7) adapted to enter between the arms of the U shape of the material. On the edge of the flange 41 are teeth 42 which are properly spaced to enter the slots in the material. Thus the material fits onto the feed sprocket in such a manner that it is positively driven by the feed sprocket and a predetermined number of pitch lengths will be drawn fromv the coil 24 for each revolution of the sprocket.

The feed sprocket is mounted on a shaft 43 journalled at its upper end in a hearing as (seel ig. 4) mounted in the upper portion 22 of the base. The lower end of the shaft 43 is mounted in a bearing 25 carried in the lower part of the base 20. To drive the shaft 43 and feed sprocket through one revolution, a one-revolution clutch, indicated generally at 46, is mounted on the shaft 3-3 and is provided with a pulley 4'7 by which it is driven. The pulley 47 is connected by a belt 59 with a pulley 5i driven by a motor 52 through a gear reduction unit 53. The motor 52 and the gear reduction unit 533 are mounted on a side face of the base 24 A one-revolution clutch such as the clutch is a well known mechanical device and need not be described in detail herein. A clutch of this type is adapted to connect a driving member (pulley 5?) with a driven member (shaft 43) and when the driven member has moved through one revolution, the drive is automatically disconnected. In the present instance, to disengage the clutch 46, it is provided with a rotatable cam member 5a (see Figs. 4- and 6) which is rotated whenever the driven member, in this instance the shaft 43, is driven. The cam member 54 is circular throughout a portion of its periphery and the remainder of the periphery is eccentric as shown at 55 to provide a radially extending abutting edge 56.

Cooperating with the cam member 54 is trip lever 57 pivotally supported by a pivot pin 6b. The free end of the trip lever 5? is adapted to be moved into and out of engagement with the abutting edge When the free end of the trip lever engages the abutting edge $6, the cam member 54 is held against rotation and effects disengagement of the clutch 46. ,When the trip lever 57 is swung about its pivot sato disengage its free end from the abutting edge 56 of the cam member 54, the latter is free to rotate. and the clutch 2.6 reengages to drive the feed, sprocket. After the cam member starts to rotate, the trip lever 57 is held against the periphery thereof by means of a spring 61. As the cam member 54 makes a complete revolution, the eccentric portion 55 of the periphery thereof permits the trip lever to move radially inward of the cam member so that it will reengage' the abutting edge 56 at the completion of one revolution. The trip lever thus holds the cam member 54 against rotation and the clutch is disengaged as heretofore mentioned. The feed sprocket 23 will thus be rotated through one revolution and its drive will then be disengaged. v

In cutting the material into individual rings, it is necessary that the cut be taken at a predetermined point relative to a pitch length so that the desired end surfaces are provided on each ring to permit proper abutment thereof. The grinding wheel 26 is of such width that suitable end surfaces are provided at both sides of the cut. Because of this requirement, the feed sprocket is adapted to be accurately positioned when stopped. To this end, the driven shaft 43 carries a locking plate 62 (see Figs. 4 and 6) located below the cam plate 54. The locking plate 62 is provided with a notch 63 in its periphery which is adapted to receive a finger 64 formed on the free end of a locking lever 65 pivotally supported on the pivot pin 60 which also supports the trip lever 57. To move the finger 64 of the locking lever 65 out of engagement with the notch 63 when the feed sprocket is to be rotated, the trip lever 57 carries a pin 66 adjacent its free end, the pin 66 engaging the side of the locking lever 65. Thus, when the trip lever 57 is moved out of engagement with the abutting edge 56 of the cam member 54, the locking lever 65 will also be moved to remove the finger 64 from the notch 63 in the locking plate 62 so that the shaft 43 and feed sprocket may be rotated by engagement of the clutch 26. To move the finger 64 into the notch 63, a spring-pressed plunger 6'7 engages the end of the locking lever 65 so that the finger 64 rides on the periphery of the locking plate 62 during rotation thereof until the notch 63 comes around into position to be engaged by the finger 64.

If it is desired, when the automatic controls of the machine are idle, to cause the feed sprocket to be driven through one revolution, a manually operable device is provided to effect engagement of the clutch 46. This device comprises a rod 76 (see Fig. 6) slidably mounted in the base 2% and provided with a knob 71 at its outer end outside of the base. To urge the rod inwardly of the base, a spring 72 surrounds the rod and engages at one end against the wall of the base and at the other end against a washer 73 held by a pin on the rod 70. At its inner end, the rod '70 carries a yoke 74 having a pin 75 engageable in a slot 76 in one arm of a bell crank 77. The bell crank '77 on its other arm carries a roller 84) adapted to engage the side edge of the trip lever 57. Thus, as is evident in Fig. 6, by pulling the rod 70 outwardly, the roller 8t engages the trip lever 57 to swing it out of engagement with the abutting edge 56 of the cam member 54 and to release the locking lever 65. The clutch will thus be permitted to engage and the feed sprocket will then rotate through one revolution.

To hold the material on the feed sprocket 23, a plurality of pressure rollers 81 (see Figs. 3 and are provided and are located at the side of the feed sprocket. Each pressure roller 81 is peripherally grooved to fit over the exterior surface of the material to hold it on the flange 41 of the feed sprocket. In the present instance two such pressure rollers are provided in advance of the cutting position and one beyond the cutting position. Each feed roller 81 is carried in a pivoted lever 82 mounted on a pin 83 with a torsion spring 84 tending to swing the lever 82 in a direction to cause the roller 81 to bear against the material on the feed sprocket.

The feed sprocket 23 is provided with a radially extending slot 35 (see Fig. 3) to receive the edge portion of the grinding disc 26 and permit it to cut through the material carried on the periphery of the feed sprocket. Since the material because of its slotting is resilient, the portion of the material adjacent the slot 85 is clamped against the periphery of the feed sprocket when the latter is stopped by a pair of pressure fingers 86 located on the respective sides of the grinding disc 26 (see Figs. 3, 5 and 7). Each pressure finger 86 is swingably supported by a rock shaft 87 mounted in a bracket 90 carried on the portion 22 of the base. On the outer end of the rock shaft 87 is mounted a lever 91 carrying a laterally extending plate 92. To urge each finger 86 away from the material so that the feed sprocket can freely rotate, a spring 93 (see Fig. 4) bearing against the plate 92 is mounted on a stud 94 threaded into the portion 22 of the base. To move each finger 86 into engagement with the material on the feed sprocket against the action of the spring 93, a piston rod 95 is slidably mounted in the base and extends to an air-operated cylinder 96 mounted on the base. While reference numerals have been shown in connection with the operating structure for only one of the fingers 86, the operating structure for both fingers is the same.

The grinding wheel 26 is carried on a shaft 100 (see Figs. 1 and 3) journalled in bearings supported by a carriage 101. The grinding wheel 26 is preferably enclosed by a guard casing 102 provided with an exhaust tube 103 for removing grinding dust and metal chips. To drive the grinding wheel, a motor 164 is mounted on the carriage and has a belt connection, indicated generally at 195, with the shaft 100. The carriage 161 is adapted to be moved to move the grinding wheel 26 into and out of cutting engagement with the material on the feed sprocket. To support the carriage liil for such movement, it is provided with a yoke 166 secured to its lower face. The yoke 166 has a pair of bosses slidably mounted on a pair of supporting bars 107 extending generally horizontally. The supporting bars 107 at one end are mounted on a bracket 110 secured to the side of the portion 22 of the base. To move the carriage back and forth, anair cylinder 111 is mounted on the side of the portion 22 of the base and is provided with a piston rod 112 extending through an aperture 113 formed in the yoke 1% between the two supporting bars 167, and the rod 112 is secured thereto in adjusted position by nuts 114. Thus when air is supplied to the cylinder 111 to move the piston therein back and forth, the carriage ltill will be shifted and the grinding wheel 26 will be moved into and out of cutting engagement with the material.

The air supplied to the cylinder 111 is under the control of an air valve 115 (see Fig. 8) which is shiftable to supply air alternately to the opposite ends of the cylinder to effect movement of the grinding wheel 26 into and out of cutting relation with the material. The air for the cylinders 96 which operate the clamping fingers 36 is controlled by a valve 116.

The camming device 27 comprises a slitted finger indicated generally at 124. (see Figs. 1, 3 and 7). The finger extends over the feed sprocket 23 with the flange 41 of the feed sprocket entering the slit in the finger 120. Thus, the finger 120 has a portion 121 extending over the upper face of the feed sprocket and a second portion 122 extending under the lower side of the flange 41. The two portions 121 and 122 of the finger 1269 are positioned so that their ends lie inwardly of the material on the feed sprocket and so that they gradually extend outwardly beyond the periphery of the flange 41. Thus, as the material rotates with the feed sprocket, the two portions 121 and 122 or the finger 12d engage the flanges 12 of'the material to force the material off the flange 41 of the feed sprocket.

The finger 120 merges into a helical plate 123 mounted concentrically with the supporting rod 30. The supporting rod 3% extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the axis of the feed sprocket so that the rings as they are forced off the feed sprocket twist because of their own resilience and follow the surface of the helical plate 123. When the trailing end of each ring is forced off the feed sprocket, the ring then snaps into its normal circular form and is suspended on the supporting rod 30;

75 To assist in guiding the ring as it is forced off the feed sprocket, the helical plate 123 is dished in form to provide a peripheral flange 124 with the flange extending upwardly and along the upper portion 121 of the finger 120. At the top of the helical plate 123 where it merges with the finger 12% and where the ring is finallyforced off the feed sprocket, the flange 124 is widened as at 125 (see Figs. 1 and 3) to insure confinement of the ring to the desired path or" movement. When a group of rings col lect on the supporting her 3b, they may be removed endwise therefrom.

As heretofore mentioned, the machine operates automatically. Thus the feed sprocket is rotated through one revolution and then is stopped and locked in a fixed position. When this occurs, the grinding wheel 26 is automatically moved into cutting relation with the material and then moved outwardly away from the material. Upon return of the grinding wheel to its initial inoperative position, the trip lever 5'7 and the locking lever 65 are disengaged and the clutch 26 reengages to eficct rotation of the feed sprocket through another revolution. The camming device 27 for removing the material from the feed sprocket after it is cut into rings operates by virtue of the rotation of the feed sprocket.

The automatic control of the trip lever 57, the locking lever 65 and the two air valves 115 and 116 is preferably effected by electrical means. In Fig. 9 of the drawings i have shown the electrical circuits for the control and for operating the two motors 52 and 194. The circuit shown in this figure comprises a pair of leads 1% adapted to be connected to a suitable source of current. Extending from the leads 136 are lines 131 connected to a switch 132 and to the motor 1%. Thus when the switch 132 is closed, the motor 194 operates and the grinding wheel is driven. Also extending from the leads 13% are lines 133 connected to the motor 52, and in one of the lines 133 is a manually operable switch 134 so that on closing of this switch, the motor 52 operates. in the operation of the machine, both motors 512- and are operating constantly.

The movement of the grinding wheel into and out of cutting relation with the material on the feed sprocket, and the trip lever 57 and locking lever 65 are controlled by a control circuit connected by lines 135 with the lines 133, and the control circuits are rendered operable by a manually operable switch 136 in one of the lines 135. H

To remove the trip lever 57 from engagement with the abutting edge 56 of the cam plate 54 and to remove the locking lever 65 from locking engagement with the locking plate 62, a solenoid 137' (see Figs. 6 and 9) is provided. The solenoid 137 is connected by a yoke 146 with the trip lever 57 so that when the solenoid 137 is energized, the trip lever 57 is disengaged from the cam plate 54- and the locking lever 65 is moved by means of the pin 6:) out of engagement with the locking plate 62.

The solenoid 137 is connected by lines 141 to the lines 135, and one of the lines 141 is provided with a switch 142 which is automatically operated by movement of the grinding disc away from the material on the feeding sprocket. The switch 142 is so arranged that as the grinding disc moves to its outermost position away from the material, the switch 142 is closed to energize the solenoid 137. As mentioned above, energization of the solenoid 137 efiects reengagemcnt of the one-revolution clutch 26 to rotate the feed sprocket through one revolution. The solenoid 137 need be energized only momentarily since as soon as the trip lever 57 and locking lever 65 are out of engagement with the cam plate 54 and locking plate 62 respectively, these plates start to rotate and the trip lever and locking lever ride on the peripheries of the plates during rotation of the latter.

As mentioned above, the switch 142 controlling the solenoid 13? is adapted to be closed when the grinding wheel 26 moves to its outermost position. To this end, the piston rod 112 which actuates the carriage 101 carrying the grinding wheel 26 is provided with a bracket 143 (see Fig. 8) adjustably mounted on the piston rod 112. The bracket 143 carries a control rod 144 slidably mounted in the bracket which supports the bars 107 on which the carriage 101 slides.

The rod 144 is provided with a dog 145 for operating the switch 142. The switch 1-42 is preferably a micro switch which is normally open and which is adapted to be closed momentarily only as the carriage 101 and grinding wheel are moved to the outermost position. The switch 142 is provided with an actuator which has a pivoted joint at 146 and a roller 147 adapted to be engaged by the dog 145'. When the carriage 1491 moves the grinding wheel 26 inwardly toward the work, the dog 1 35 engages the roller 147 but the actuator for the switch 142 is permitted to pivot at 146 during such movement so that the switch 142 will not be closed. On the return movement of the carriage towards its outermost position, the dog 145 again engages the roller 147 but in this direction of movement the actuator for the switch cannot pivot about the point 146 and the switch is thereby momentarily closed as the dog 145 forces the roller 147 downwardly. As mentioned above, closing of the switch 142 momentarily energizes the solenoid 137 to efiect reengagement of the clutch 46. The clutch 46 will thereby be reengaged each time that the grinding wheel moves away from the material on the feed s rochet so that the feed sprocket will again be rotated through one revolution.

The valve controlling the supply of air to the cylinder 111 for moving the carriage is controlled by a solenoid 15% incorporated in the structure of the valve 135. The solenoid is so arranged that when it energized it will shift the valve 115' to admit air to the cylinder iii to move the grinding wheel 26 inwardly toward tbe'work. When the solenoid 154) is to be energized, it provided with a spring return which causes the valve 115 to shift so that air is admitted oppositely to the cyiinder 111 and the grinding wheel is moved away from the work.

Energizatien and deenergization of the so-lenoit 15%) controlled by movement or" the carriage itself and by movement of the locking lever 65 into locking engagement with the locking plate 62. To energize the solenoid 150, one side thereof is connected to one of the lines and the other side is connecte the other line 135' by a line i. in the line is a snap action limit switch 152 having an actuating member 153 shown in Fig. To operate the actuating member 153 of the switch 152, a pair of collars is are mounted on th control rod 144. As the control rod 14 is moved to the right as shown in Fig. 8 on movement of the grinding wheel away from the material, the left-l1and collar 1% will shift the actuating member to the right to close the switch 152 to prepare the circuit for energiestion of the solenoid However, the solenoid 15% will not be energized until a second switch in the line 151 is closed. The switch 155 is of the normally open type and is adapted to be closed when the finger 54- on the locking lever 65 engages the notch in the locking plate 62 to hold the feed sprocket against rotation. For this purpose, the locking lever 65 is provided with a screw 156 (see Figs. d 6) adjacent its pivoted end to engage and close the s h 155 when the locking lever swings into holding engagement with the locking plate 62. Thus, when the feed sprocket is pped by such locking engagement, the circuit for the solenoid carriage will move the grinding wheel inwardly toward the work.

As the grinding wheel reaches the inner end of its travel and has cut through the material on the feed sprocket, right-hand collar 154 on the control rod 144 engages the actuator 153 for the switch 152- to open the switch 152 and thus deenergize the solenoid 159. Since the solenoid 156 is of the spring return type, deenergization thereof will result in shifting of the valve 115 to cause the carriage carrying the grinding wheel to move away from the material and out of engagement therewith. During such movement of the carriage and grinding wheel, the switch 155 actuated by the locking lever 65 remains closed since the locking lever is in locking engagement with the locking plate 62. As the carriage reaches the outer end of its stroke, the left-hand collar 154 on the control rod 144 engages the actuator 153 for the switch 152 to close this switch and prepare the circuit for the solenoid 150 so that the latter can be energized again for the next stroke. However, at the same time that the left-hand collar 154 is closing the switch 152, the dog 145 is also momentarily closing the switch 142 to energize the solenoid 137 to reengage the clutch. The soleneoid 137 removes the locking lever from its locking engagement with the locking plate. This movement opens the switch 155 so that the carriage stops in its outermost position and will not again be actuated until the feed sprocket has made one revolution and the locking lever 65 reengages the locking plate 62.

To control the operation of the pressure fingers 86 and particularly to control operation of the air cylinders 96 operating these pressure fingers, the valve 116 is adapted to be operated by a solenoid 160 incorporated in the valve. The solenoid 160 is connected by lines 161 to the lines 133, and one of the lines 161 includes a micro switch 162 (see Figs. 8 and 9). The switch 162 is adapted to be closed in timed relation with movement of the carriage carrying the grinding wheel and to this end, the control rod 144 carries a dog 163 secured thereon. The dog 163 is adapted to engage a roller 164 on an actuator for the switch 162. The dog 163 comprises a reduced portion 165 which, when the roller 164 is engaged therewith, permits the switch 162 to remain open. in this position, the solenoid 160 is deenergized and the valve 1.16 is in such position that no air is supplied to the cylinders 96. The dog 163 is provided with a tapered portion leading to an enlarged portion 166 which causes closing of the switch 162 to energize the solenoid 160. The valve 116 is thus shifted to admit air to the cylinders 96, and the pressure fingers 86 will thereby be moved into engagement with the material on the feed sprocket at either side of the grinding wheel 26. The pressure fingers 86 are held in this engaged position during the cutting operation and as the carriage moves the grinding wheel away from the material, the reduced portion 165 of the dog 163 permits the switch 162 to spring open to deenergize the solenoid 160. This permits exhausting of the air cylinders 96 and the springs 93 will then swing the pressure fingers 86 away from the material.

From the foregoing description, it will be evident that I have provided a novel machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into individual rings. The material is placed on the machine in helical coils and predetermined lengths thereof are measured off by the feed sprocket and are then cut to form individual rings. The machine is entirely automatic in operation and will continue to cut the coil into individual rings until the coil is exhausted. The feed sprocket accurately determines the number of pitch lengths in each portion cut oif and the cutting is effected at a predetermined point in a pitch length so that end surfaces on the ring are left which are suitable for abutment with each other when the ring is in operative position in a piston. As the rings come off the machine, they are suspended on the bar 30 so that they may be easily removed from the machine.

I claim:

l. A machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into individual rings, comprising means for rotatably supporting a coil of the material, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of'said sprocket, means for for driving said sprocket including a one-revolution clutch, means for cutting the material on said sprocket at a fixed point on the periphery thereof after each revolution of said sprocket, and means for removing the material from the sprocket at a point beyond said fixed point during the rotation of said sprocket.

2. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped, and means for removing the material from the sprocket at a point beyond the point of cutting during the rotation of said sprocket.

3. A machine for cutting into individual lengths strips of material transversely slotted and U shaped in cross section, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having a peripheral flange portion adapted to enter between the arms of the U and having radially extending teeth on said flange portion adapted to engage in the slots of the material, said sprocket being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means and having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including a one revolution clutch arranged to stop said sprocket at each revolution thereof, said sprocket having a radial slot in its periphery, means movable radially of said sprocket into said slot to'cut the material carried by said sprocket, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said cutting means.

4. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automtaically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means located at one side of said sprocket for holding the material on the sprocket at said side during rotation of the sprocket, means located at said side for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said holding means.

5. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolutoin of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means movable toward the sprocket for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped, means for holding the material on the sprocket and located ahead and beyond said cutting means, means for clamping the material on said Ill sprocket at opposite sides of said cutting means during movement thereof, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said holding means.

6. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said suppor ing means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teem to withdraw a length of material of a prcdeter mined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated predetermined extent, means movable toward the sprocket for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped, a pair of clamping members on opposite sides of said cutting means and movable into clamping engagement with the material on the sprocket upon movement of said cutting means, and. means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said cutting means.

7. A machine for'cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material or" a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated at predetermined extent, a disc shape cutter movable in a plane radially of the sprocket for cutting the material on the sprocket when the sprocket is stopped, a pair of pressure fingers located at opposite sides of said cutter and movable into engagement with the material on the sprocket during movement of the cutter, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said cutter.

S. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, said sprocket having a radial slot, a rotatably driven grinding disc mounted in a plane extending radially of the sprocket, means for moving said disc into said slot to cut the material on the sprocket, means for clamping the material on the sprocket at the respective sides of said slot during cutting movement of said disc, and means located beyond said disc for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof.

9. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated predetermined extent, a plurality of spaced pressure rollers for holding the material on the sprocket for an arcuate portion thereof during rotation thereof, means movable radially of the sprocket between two of said pressure rollers to cut the material on the sprocket, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said pressure rollers.

10. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means when the sprocket has rotated a predetermined extent, locking means cooperating with said clutch means for holding said sprocket in a fixed position when the clutch means disengages said driving means, means for cutting the material on the sprocket when the latter is held in said fixed position, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rot tion thereof at a point beyond the point of cutting.

11. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disen aging the driving means when the sprocket has rotated through one revolution including a trip lever for effecting disengagement of the clutch means, a locking lever engageable with said clutch means for holding said sprocket in a fixed position when said trip lever effects disengagement of said clutch means, means for cutting the mate-- rial on the sprocket when the latter is hold in s: d fixed position by said locking lever, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond the point of cutting.

12. A machine for cutting slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising a rotatable member for supporting a helical coil of the material, an idler roll adjacent said member, guide means for guiding material from said member onto said idler roll, a feed sprocket mounted in the plane of said idler roll and adjacent thereto and having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material extending from said idler roll and being rotatable to withdraw material from said member, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengthsfor each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on said sprocket when stopped, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond the point of cutting.

13. A. machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into rings, comprising means mounted on a vertical axis for rotatably supporting a coil of the material, a feed sprocket mounted on a vertical axis and having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a'length of the material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped to form rings of th: material, cam means for removing the rings from the sprocket during rotation thereof, and a horizontal bar extending radially relative to said sprocket to support the rings as they are removed by said cam means.

14. A machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into rings, comprising means for rotatably supporting a coil of the material, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of the material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped to form rings of the material, and cam means for removing the rings from said sprocket during rotation thereof and comprising a slitted finger extending over the marginal portion of the opposite faces of said sprocket to force the rings off the sprocket.

15. A machine for cutting coils of slotted material of the character described into rings, comprising means for rotatably supporting a coil of the material, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of the material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on said sprocket when the sprocket is stopped to form rings of the material, a bar extending generally radially from the sprocket, cam means for removing the rings from the sprocket during rotation thereof, and helically formed dished means extending from said cam means and coaxial with said bar to guide the rings from said cam means onto said bar.

16. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described int) individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means to stop the sprocket when it has rotated a predetermined extent, means for cutting the material on the sprocket, means for moving said cutting means into and out of cutting relation with the material in response to stopping of rotation of said sprocket, means responsive to movement of said cutting means out of cutting relation to eifect engagement of said clutch means, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said cutting means.

17. A machine for cutting strips of slotted material of the character described into individual lengths, comprising means for supporting a strip, a feed sprocket having teeth adapted to engage in the slots of the material and being rotatable to withdraw material from said supporting means, said sprocket having a predetermined number of teeth to withdraw a length of material of a predetermined number of pitch lengths for each revolution of said sprocket, means for driving said sprocket including clutch means for automatically disengaging the driving means when the sprocket has rotated a predetermined extent, a locking member engageable with said clutch means for holding the sprocket against rotation when said driving means is disengaged, means for cutting the material on said sprocket, means for moving said cutting means into and out of cutting relation with the material in response to movement of said locking member into locking engagement, means responsive to movement of said cutting means out of cutting relation to disengage said locking means and eflect engagement of said clutch means, and means for removing the material from the sprocket during rotation thereof at a point beyond said cutting means.

No references cited. 

